NEW YORK — It dawned on Zack Wheeler on Tuesday night that he might be throwing his final pitches at Citi Field while wearing a Mets uniform.

"It crossed my mind, not gonna lie," Wheeler said. "Same time, really can't do anything about it but go out there and pitch and try to get a win. We did that tonight."

The Mets are open to dealing Wheeler, and he showcased why he is drawing serious interest by easily taking care of the Padres in a 6-3 win on Tuesday night at Citi Field. Wheeler (4-6) allowed two runs in seven innings while walking just one batter.

Michael Conforto added a two-run homer off lefty Eric Lauer, after Devin Mesoraco gave the Mets the lead for good with a bases-clearing double in the first.

"Obviously they wouldn't want me if I wasn't pitching well," Wheeler said. "A lot of hard work is starting to pay off, and hopefully I can keep it going."

New York Mets left fielder Michael Conforto (30) celebrates in the dugout with teammates after hitting a two-run home run against the San Diego Padres during the third inning at Citi Field.(Photo: Brad Penner, Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports)

While the Mets (41-57 could move Noah Syndergaard, Jacob deGrom or Steven Matz, indications are the three will be Mets through the remainder of the year. Wheeler, however, may be pitching for a contender come Aug. 1.

Wheeler is under contract only through next season, and he could perhaps net pieces that could help the Mets in 2019 when they should have a strong rotation with or without him. The Mets have shown this year that elite pitching doesn't necessarily result in wins.

A source recently said the Mets had not had significant talks with teams regarding Wheeler, and it may be tough for the Mets to get proper value back for the righty. All trade decisions the Mets are making are with the goal of contending in 2019.

Monday marked Wheeler's second-to-last start before the trade deadline, and he cruised aside from a blip in the third inning. He allowed a two-run single to Wil Myers that inning that sliced the Mets' lead to 3-2, but he retired the final 12 batters he faced.

Welcome to the show

Jeff McNeil's time as a major-leaguer began with him missing his original flight to New York and instead having to catch a later flight.

“It all happened so fast," McNeil said Tuesday afternoon.

New York Mets' Jeff McNeil reacts as he runs to first base after hitting a single during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres Tuesday, July 24, 2018, in New York.(Photo: Frank Franklin II, AP)

McNeil ultimately arrived with plenty of time to spare, and he singled in his first at-bat as a pinch hitter in the eighth inning. He received a loud ovation.

"It felt amazing," McNeil said. "Went up there looking for a pitch to hit, he threw me a fastball right down the middle and I put a good swing on it."

McNeil forced his way to the majors by hitting .342 with a 1.028 OPS spanning his time with Class AA Binghamton and Class AAA Las Vegas.

McNeil is known for his bat, and not that long ago Callaway said the Mets viewed the infielder only as a second baseman. The team used him at several positions over the last few weeks, and they are now willing to use him at multiple spots.

He manned third base in the ninth inning Tuesday.

“He’s an option at second, third, and he’s an option to also maybe help out in the outfield on occasion," Mets manager Mickey Callaway said. "Multiple positions, which is good, and swinging the bat well, and we’re excited he’s going to be a possibility for us.”

McNeil did not start Tuesday against the Padres, with the Mets opting for utility man Phil Evans due to his strong numbers against lefties in the minors. Evans took the spot of utility man Ty Kelly, who was yet again designated for assignment.

Injury updates

Todd Frazier (left rib cage strain) and Jay Bruce (hip) are both slated to travel to Florida on Wednesday while the team departs for Pittsburgh.

Frazier has started baseball activities, and is set to begin a rehab assignment soon. Bruce said he expects to start swinging in the next few days.

Briefs

Brandon Nimmo has been honored as the recipient of the Mets' Heart & Hustle Award, which is given to a player who excels on the field and embodies baseball values. ... Corey Oswalt (0-2, 5.64) starts in Syndergaard's place in Wednesday's series finale. ... Conforto is hitting .500 and has two homers since the All-Star break.